Hills and starting to run

I started with the C25K program back in February! I run along the country road near my house, which has a couple of fairly large hills. Based on my own experience, the amount of time C25K has you running each day will be really helpful in getting you adjusted to those inclines. On that first two minute run day I didn't even make it all the way up a hill! By the third week I stopped even noticing it.

Of course, it has a lot to do with the size and incline of the hills... But I imagine if they're not bad to walk up (which I hope they aren't since they're on campus!) then you'll probably be able to run them. :) Good luck with the program, it really is a lot of fun!!

How about campus? It can't be too hilly all over, right? There must be green spaces, lawns, pathways, that aren't all hilly?

You could always pick a park or quad space or something and just go around and around it.

If that's really not possible, find the least steep area you can, and always run uphill. Running downhill is way hard on your joints and I wouldn't recommend that as a beginner, even though it's easier.

There are two things that are challenging about learning to run. First is just the straight fitness aspect, and the second is your body having to adjust to the impact.

Obviously, going uphill is harder work from the cardio perspective, but this generally speaking shouldn't pose a safety issue.

The impact issue is the one that really takes time for your body to adjust, and is where potential injuries occur, from trying to do too much, too soon. But going uphill is actually easier from an impact perspective - you are likely going slower and taking smaller steps, which means less impact. Also, the slope means you are hitting the ground slightly earlier in your stride, which also means less impact. I agree with Coral - where you need to take care is going downhill - keep your speed down, and take smaller steps here also.

You will be fine! Do the hills as much as you can! Take breaks when you need to! I started running using C25K and we have a lot of hills too and I can say from experience, you may have to take longer walking breaks but it works. Oh, but one bit of advice, go slower on the downhills than you think you want to. They can be hard on your legs.

Hi, I just started the C25K program this week, and so far I love it! I just have a couple of concerns. I live on a college campus where there is nothing but hills. I don't really like using a treadmill, but most running articles I've found say that you shouldn't try to tackle hills until you've been running for a while, which I haven't. My only form of exercise before this has been dance class three times a week for the past few months, but nothing really running-specific. Am I putting myself at too much of a risk for injury? I would rather not have to resort to a treadmill, but that is the only real option besides hills where I am.

TL;DR: Will starting out training on hills be too hazardous if I've never run before?

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